Boisterous scenes were witnessed on the streets of Mumbai after Laxmipathy Balaji bowled Moin Khan to clinch victory for India in the final encounter of the five-match series against Pakistan on Wednesday night.
As soon as the last Pakistani wicket fell, people in the cricket-crazy metropolis thronged the streets and celebrated the 3-2 series victory by bursting crackers and beating drums.
"This one is great. We beat Pakistan in their backyard," said a taxi driver, forced to drive at snail's pace because of the crowds on the road.
The owner of a fast food outlet said he was forced to keep his shop open beyond normal hours because a stream of revelers began stepping in after the seventh Pakistan wicket fell.
"The team played to a plan today. They excelled with bat and ball and that made the difference," said a collegian, who confessed he watched the match despite having an examination tomorrow morning.
With the series clinched, fans are now hoping for a similar result in the three-Test series, beginning on March 28.
Meanwhile, similar scenes were witnesses all over the country.
Thousands thronged India skipper Sourav Ganguly's residence in Kolkata, waving the tricolour, singing and beating drums. Hordes of cameramen and media persons too descended on the area to get an elusive byte from Ganguly's family members.
"I have never seen such delirious scenes here before," commented a resident of the locality.
Indeed, the atmosphere was electric, with fire crackers being burst, people smearing each other with gulal and distributing sweets.
"Though Sourav had to leave the field injured, midway into the Pakistan innings, much of the credit for today's 40-run victory should go to him. It was 'dada' who has metamorphosed a team of 'chokers' into a bunch of tough guys," said a member of Players' Corner, a club located at a stone's throw distance from Ganguly's home.
